Spotlight On: Urban Decay Maui Wowie

maui_wowieMaui Wowie is a light gold-leaning shade with a subtle glitter formulation. When I first looked at it I thought it was going to be a nightmare to work with, comparable to Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, but it actually isn’t. There is fallout associated with this shade and you will see it during application too (it’s best to apply a layer of translucent powder under your eyes for application and then wipe it away after you’re done, to help catch the fallout). However, I really like how much this eyeshadow can add to a look. I found my most favorite way to wear it (as you’ll see below) is on the center of the lid to add dimension to the eyes. If I were to compare Maui Wowie to MAC eyeshadows, color-wise, it reminds me a LOT of a combination of Patina (without the green), Ricepaper and Shroom mixed together. Definitely a unique color! Do you own Maui Wowie? How do you like to wear it?

Look #1

UD eyeshadows used:

  • Loaded (on lid, below crease)
  • Suspect (crease)
  • Maui Wowie (center of lid)
  • MAC Blanc Type (blend)

22 thoughts on “Spotlight On: Urban Decay Maui Wowie

  1. Beautiful looks Z! 🙂 Love them all. I wish though that UD would cut down on the glitter a little bit. Do you think MAC has a dupe for UD’s Loaded? I just got UD’s Snare but that’s not close to Loaded. Thanks for all your hard work sweetie! 🙂

    1. Thanks, K! 😉 Hmmm, the closest I would say to Loaded in MAC’s line would be Plumage, color-wise, but it is a different finish. Loaded is so pigmented and buttery soft, whereas Plumage is a little spottier in application, in my opinion. I’m not familiar with Snare, so I can’t really say there. I’m loving Lounge by the way (thank you, again!)! It’s nothing like Club! OMG! I was surprised to see it act red in Look #2!

      1. I didn’t even notice that you used Lounge. Clever girl. 🙂 I’m glad you like it. I don’t know why Loaded looks lighter in look 1, then it does in your Spotlight for Loaded. In the Spotlight it’s almost black with a little green.

        1. I think it’s the lighting; I was still struggling with my lighting a bit in the Loaded post and now I’ve got it down pat (finally!). These were actually shot on a completely overcast, rainy day, if you can believe it! Which is a good thing, because last year I struggled so much during hurricane season! Agghh! Glad that’s over with! 😉

  2. I really like look #6. Simple and has impact. I have brown eyes and I think it will look great on me. Will try it out tomorrow.

  3. I have owned Maui Wowie for quite a few years and love the colour so much but mine is the old formulation and the fallout of glitter from it makes is almost unwearable. I purchased MAC’s Sweet Satisfaction because a review at MUA said it was similar to Maui Wowie but without the glitter fallout. Zabrena, it the new formula that is now sold separately any better in the “fall out” department? Really, no matter what I do – tapping my brush, foundation AFTER eye shadow – the glitter falls out throughout the day. But the colour is unlike any other eyeshadow, it is SO, SO beautiful.

    1. Definitely! I think I know what you mean because I have an older palette with Maui Wowie in it and it’s worse in glitter factor than the individual one I used here. Big difference! There is still some fallout, but I noticed it moreso on application rather than throughout the day, so it was more manageable to me. I absolutely love this color, too!! So stunning!

      1. I’ll have to buy one of the new ones for sure, then. What’s annoying is that the one I have (in BOS 3, which I’m guessing is the one you have too) is practically “brand new” because it’s so unusable! But to get that unique colour without all-day fall-out will be wonderful. You’ve done some stunning looks. In fact, I think this is probably my favourite “Spotlight” of all the ones you’ve done. Every single look is stunning and something I would wear.

  4. I had purchased this color a few months ago despite the reviews on the glitter fallout just because it was such a unique color that I didn’t see anywhere else. I’ve been looking forward to this spotlight since my purchase. I’ve only worn it a few times so far and have only used it on the lid. I don’t recall what other colors I paired with it, but I do know the look was a very neutral. I love the ‘middle of the lid’ idea! I have also found that tapping the brush before applying the color helps with fallout during application and have not noticed any during the day. I can’t wait to see more looks with this color!

    1. Oh yay! So happy you have this color! 🙂
      You will love it on the middle of the lid! It just adds such dimension to a look.
      Definitely looking forward to more combos with this color!

  5. Oh, I’m so excited to see some looks using Maui Wowie! I can usually come up with various combinations with other shades but for some reason I only seem to wear the one combination whenever I use Maui Wowie (I don’t know why, lol). Really great to see how it can be paired with other shades! I will definitely be trying some of these ideas out.

  6. Oh, and for info, here’s the combination that I always use for Maui Wowie:
    Maui Wowie (lid), Folie (crease), Blanc Type or Brule (blend and highlight. I sometimes also add in a little Embark to deepen the crease as well.

    It’s a really pretty look and one that I love wearing but it’s so nice to get some more ideas for using this shade :o) .

  7. Well, I hope you’re satisfied! I went to Sephora to get a new concealer and a few other things and guess what just sort of jumped into my basket, totally unbeknownst to me??? Okay, well maybe that’s a bit of a lie, since I did get the SA to apply the “new and improved” Maui Wowie to my lids. She was blown away by it, and admitted she’d never really used it or tried it on customers but would be doing so in future. And I DO have some fallout but I also seem to have lost my bill, so I guess I just “have” to keep it, right? And what’s a little bit o’glitter on the cheeks. It is so much less gritty than the original but the glitter still misbehaves a bit. BUT it’s SOOOO pretty and unique that I can almost overlook it….and use sticky tape to remove any stray glitter.

    1. LOL!! It just sort of jumped into my basket! Haha! 😀
      Sounds like some of the magical baskets I get when I go makeup shopping too!!
      Ah! You turned the SA onto Maui Wowie! Awesome!
      I agree with you on the fallout aspect; still there, but so doggone beautiful I’ll ignore it and pull out the tape to fix it! Haha!

      1. I knew you would understand about eye shadows with a mind of their own! I picked up UD Snare when I was in Buffalo on the weekend and all I can say is that you NEED that shadow. It’s what Greensmoke should have been but even better. Gorgeous and no fallout either!

        1. Hi Mariella,
          I have Snare too but I haven’t used it yet. I’m so glad you said it’s what Greensmoke should have been but better. Yay! 🙂 I’ve struggled with Greensmoke. To me, there is really no green in it. Thanks for sharing that about Snare.
          Zabrena- UD’s Snare was the e/s I mentioned in my first post. I’ve had it for a few months but haven’t used it. You may have to put it on your list for future reviews/looks. 🙂

          1. Ah! Yes! You’re right! Now I’m intrigued!! 😀
            I wish Greensmoke translated to the lid as it looks in the pan too, so that’s great news with Snare!

  8. Ooh! # 1, 3, & 7 are my personal favs! Such a gorgeous shade, and of all the darned UD I own, this is not part of my collection. 🙁 deff worth a look though!! Thanks for the review, Z! 🙂

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